蘑菇AV

Multi-industry players have the power to redefine the future of commerce media advertising. Unlike in the US, where retailers and FIs typically operate independently, many Latin American retailers act as financial services providers鈥攐ffering credit lines, digital wallets, and other banking products to unbanked and underbanked consumers.

Gen Zers are driving growth in both emerging and traditional payment methods as they embrace cards, BNPL, and digital wallets. Payment providers must now align their offerings with Gen Z鈥檚 preferences as the cohort鈥檚 spending power grows.

Solving this hurdle can help digital wallets better meet customer demand.

The rule, which regulates payment apps like banks, is already on shaky ground given the CFPB is about to be overhauled under Trump

Digital wallets鈥� transformation into commerce enablers speeds up. We make a case for digital-only consumer credit cards. And we see a new threat that BNPL poses to credit cards.

Why this matters: This is the first time PayPal has enabled NFC payments through its digital wallet after Apple opened up the tech to developers in Europe, the US, and select other markets in response to antitrust concerns from regulators. At the time, we predicted PayPal would start offering contactless payments now that it could do so across mobile operating systems.

With account integration ending for Android wallets, PayPal sets its sights on keeping more users within its own ecosystem.

The news: PayPal will serve as Selfbook鈥檚 commerce partner for its travel and hotel offerings, per a press release. Customers can book travel arrangements directly within the PayPal app. Our take: Consumers want travel features from their banks, which PayPal has taken up as a fintech payment provider.

The news: PayPal users can get 20% cash back on their Taco Bell orders if they check out with PayPal or Venmo in-app or online, per a press release. Our take: For Taco Bell enthusiasts, 20% cash back every week may be too good of an offer to refuse.

The news: PayPal is launching storefront-style ads that allow users to buy products directly within display ads on publisher sites, using PayPal or Venmo without leaving the page. Debuting in the US with partners like Business Insider and Vox Media, the units will later expand to include carousels and listings. This move strengthens PayPal鈥檚 financial media network footprint after its 2023 Ads launch. Our take: As FMN spend is set to reach $1.78B by 2027, PayPal is embedding commerce where consumers already are. These shoppable ads address friction, drive impulse purchases, and position PayPal as a safeguard against rising AI-driven agentic commerce.

Centralized payment options and automating spend threshold One Credential can help to keep PayPal products top-of-wallet for Gen Z.

A new credit card is a smart way to contend with incumbents and fintech competitors, but a confusing product line could dampen its adoption.

The news: PayPal partnered with the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences to enable payments for participating student-athletes. Our take: Capitalizing on young, emerging student consumers is a strong opportunity to secure long-time and loyal PayPal and Venmo users.

Paying by smartphone is now routine for a growing number of consumers, both in stores and online. Recent data shows the size of the user base, shifting demographics, shopper preferences, and how mobile fits into the spectrum of payment options.鈥�

The news: Fiserv will launch its own stablecoin, FIUSD, by end of year to complement its existing banking and payments infrastructure. Our take: Reporting BNPL data to the credit bureaus would be a solid step toward combatting BNPL鈥檚 鈥減hantom debt鈥� criticism.

With seamless in-app purchases coming, PayPal could turn Perplexity into a trusted, AI-driven checkout hub鈥攅specially for younger, AI-hungry consumers.

Digital wallets are solving this with passwordless checkout, which will likely become the industry norm

The tech is dominating recent headlines as retailer and consumer interest explodes

The payments giant also deepened its tie-up with Coinbase to make buying and using the asset more accessible